Monrovia City Court Stipendiary Magistrate, L. Ben Barco has ordered the extradition of Liberian- American based Othello Bruce to be turnover to the Ministry of Justice for onward extradition to the United States of America.
While delivering his ruling on Tuesday, April 29,2025, Magistrate Barco said, the condition for extradition as contained in the requisition for Othello Bruce is consistent with the relevant treaty and statutory laws of Liberia.
Barco however, order the sheriff to turn over Bruce to the Ministry of Justice and a certificate of committal issued to be forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Magistrate Barco said the 12 indictments against the said fugitive, charging him with four indictments for aggravated statutory rape of a child among others are offenses covered under article II 2,3, of the extradition treaty and are not political offenses.
“That is to say, the state has satisfied the requirement for the extradition of the fugitive as spelled out in the extradition statute.” the Magistrate added.
It can be recalled, on August 19,2024, the United States Government, through its embassy near Monrovia, requested the Liberian government to extradite defendant Othello Bruce to the USA on criminal charges of aggravated statutory rape of a child and indecent assault and battery on a person 14 years old or older.
Sources: DN-News Liberia